Oh what fun it is...

...to stamp, with a dear, sweet friend of mine. (sung to Jingle Bells) It has been far too long since I just stamped and explored, and... There is this wonderful woman who I am so lucky to call my friend. Mona Lisa once again drove down this weekend to spend a day with me. It was so fabulous having her here!!! I just hope and pray she doesn't get this awful cold of mine. Unfortunately as with all good things it just didn't last long enough.

Lis brought ALL kinds of toys along with her and we began to share. She shared her Ranger product knowledge with me and I shared my Copic coloring knowledge with her. Let me tell you - I LOVE Ranger products - LOL! Lisa also had her fabulous new CHF Backgrounders and Kim Hughes stamps along with her and so we went in to a stamping frenzy. Hopefully I will get these projects completed that I have started and be able to share them all with you over time. Tonight I'll start with the first three.

The first card I created uses the adorable owl that Kim drew. It is over the top - oh so cute!!! I began by showing Lisa how I color using the Copics - I started with the body and eyes of the owl and then inspiration hit. Lisa had shared the new Ranger Crackle paint effects with me moments earlier and that twig was just screaming at me to give it a try. What I learned is that when you spread a thin layer of the paint on your project you get tiny cracks, when you spread a thick layer you get larger cracks and thus came about the twig branch. I painted on the first layer very lightly and then gooped it on to the areas that I wanted to have a larger crackled effect. I also added a little to Mr. Owl so that he would have some texture as well. The paint colors coordinate with Tim Holtz's distress inks - they are several shades lighter than the ink. Thus when they dry you can easily apply the distress ink to really make those cracks jump out at you. Being that they weren't exactly corresponding with the Copic colors I had used I also added in a little YR24 to bring the branch colors a little closer to the colors I had started with, so that it would coordinate a little better.

In putting the card together I needed a "moon", I tried a number of things - pearls, twinkle stickers, when Lis suggest Page Pebbles. Ahhh yes - I colored the Page Pebble with my Copics and had the perfect little embellishment in just the right color.

The wonderful corner circle was made using Lisa's new Lined Paper Backgrounder - can I tell you how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that one! I kid you not that I stamped off a good dozen of these in pink and blue for upcoming projects. Guess what will be in my possession SOON Ü

Sorry about getting carried away with the airbrush - moral of the story - watch what you are doing when using this - don't try and do two things at once - LOL! The shape of course was created using the Classic Scalloped Circle Nestability and the ribbon color adjusted slightly with that same Copic marker I used on the Page Pebble.

Now Miss Lisa teased me at this point because it took me hours to complete this one little project. But this is what else I was doing Ü

When I actually stamp my little Katrina likes to join in - especially when Miss Lisa is around Ü Kim's little critters are over the top adorable and Katrina just had to participate! So we have this series of three - the bunny is day time, the kitty is sunset and the puppy is night time (you can't see all the wonderful Glitter Pen stars she added to the sky). So see - it was worth the long drawn out project after all - I had one VERY happy little girl and she now has a special card to share with someone someday soon. I think she would love to hear from you - being that her eyes got huge when I asked if I could share her card on my blog Ü and she exclaimed in a voice of wonder - you mean it will be seen all over the world!!! So needless to say I think I need to get these little cuties for her.

The next card is inspired by Kim Hughes - her "style" is so distinctive, and I love it - I do believe that she likes the Hambly overlays Ü Am I right Miss Kim? So I created my own overlay using the new Grid Background. This is another oh so me background - it takes me back to my years of interior design and all the drafting I spent hours doing on this surface. Yes, another background I can't live without!!!

The snowman followed in fun flock, but alas it just was not dark enough to hold his own. So I repeated it in white embossing powder and voila - there he is just right! A few twinkle stickers, another background (this time Spanish Script) at an angle over the now gone Figgy Pudding paper (boy did I LOVE that collection!) and some Lily Kate ribbon and this project was complete.

Now Lis was bookin' along making card, after card, after card - putting me to shame - LOL! This is the reason for her productivity. Lisa said something that got my attention, "This is one of the most inspirational books I have seen in forever!" The layouts, colors, coloring - I just need to try these. So I decided to share with you a project that I have completed taken from the pages of Dave's incredible book. This topic is in regards to blending three or more shades. In this lesson area of the book I selected a monochromatic scene to replicate. I wanted to show Valentine's with a twist Ü Who would think of a blue Valentine other than myself - LOL! Aren't Valentine's supposed to be pink or red? hee, hee

First I stamped Kim's tree and mailbox. I then added my hillside using the Copic Multiliner .3 - this was the best size to scale with Kim's images. I used my Copic markers and blender pen to create this beautiful blue background, I did top it off with just a hint of Prismacolor color pencils to bring out the texture of the Arturo paper, a little Spica Glitter Pen in Sky Blue and Red to add that hint of WOW and then just adhered it to a beautiful blue notecard - what a simple card to create, yet it has a ton of impact due to the icy colors. I almost put the sentiment "Frosty Greetings", "It's cold here without you!" or "Messages from you Warm my Heart", but I just left it alone being that I LOVE the simplicity of this design and I wanted to follow Dave's idea in a more "true" manner.

I hope you enjoy this little adventure we shared and I do have some other wonderful ideas I hope to share with you as well over time. 'Tis the season to be busy right now, the kids will be out of school after tomorrow and my cold is still hammering away at my head. But creativity got to be a part of my weekend and for that I am so thankful to Lis for! You are such an incredible friend my sweet Lisa!!!

If you have managed to read all the way here to the bottom - I must share that Debbie (Inchie Cards), Mish (Holiday Treats and ways to present them), Trudee (Cards), Sharon (Toile Lamp Shade) and Cindy (Amazing soldered jewelry with step by step directions!) have once again created projects that will truly INSPIRE!!! These ladies are so incredibly talented and they have blown my socks off yet again these past few days! So be certain to visit their blogs and leave them comments on their projects when you get the opportunity.

Comments

[Sharon Harnist]

I thought I commented on this, Ellen -- sorry! (I'm sure my computer crashed on me at the time or some such thing, like two little girls, interruped me!) Anyway . . .

Looks like you and Lis had a wonderful time! I love the use of crackle paint on the tree -- SOO realistic! And what a perfect touch the lined paper stamp is -- great card!

Katrina's card is absolutely adorable -- she really needs that stamp set! ;)

Thanks so much for the mention, too, sweetie!

[Rose Ann]

Everything looks wonderful, especially Katrina's creation!!

That is awesome that you were able to spend some time with Lisa!

[kathynruss]

Katrina, I may not be from "all over the world," but I'm sure on the opposite corner from you up in Issaquah, one of my favorite towns. I've been to Gilman Square many times! I soooo miss Washington, stuck down here in Florida! You were near me not long ago! LOL Happy stamping! I love your cute little critters card.

[Carolyn King]

Wow..amazing cards and sounds like a wonderful day.

Love Katrina's card too--she is a natural!

[Mona Lisa]

All I can say is *mwah* darling!

[Beth]

Katrina- What a super card! I love the bright colors and your neat idea about the parts of the day! My daughter loves to create with me, too! It is a really special time!

[Juanita]

WOW, Katrina!! Your card is super cute, you did a great job. Isn't it special to spend time with your mom and Miss Lisa doing cards??? I hope you let your mom share more of you work with us in the future. TFS.

[Mish]

Hi Katrina! I love your card....so ask your mom if you can come to Kansas and stamp with my girls!! They would love that!! Hope you have a good Christmas, okay??!!

[liannallama]

oh, Katrina that is a super card! I love the colors you used and I especially love the kitty!

[Debbie Olson]

Katrina, you did a fabulous job with your card! Ellen, I'm so happy that you and Miss Mona Lisa had a wonderful day of creativity together!

[Kathy]

I love all of these and I'm jealous of your fun weekend stamping away. Katrina's card is just divine!!!!! She's definitely inherited her mama's talents.

[Lori Craig]

Just adorable projects. So glad that you and Lisa had a wonderful time. We all need girl time every now and again. :)

[Alli Miles]

WTG Ellen! I love your creations!!!

[KathyN]

Katrina: Your mom hasn't bought the Cutie Patootie set (the cute animals) yet?! Why I am just appalled! I've been reading her post here and just shaking my head. You must have that set! I LOVE what you did with the bunny, kitty and puppy! You did such a cute card! Please do more and ask your mom to post them more often! Hugs to you!

[Lisa Silver (silvergirl)]

Gorgeous, gorgeous work, Ms. Ellen!!! I love everything!

Thanks for sharing,
lise

[Julie Campbell]

Wow! Great projects! I love them all! I am a HUGE fan of CHF, so these cards are just my thing! Thanks for all of the info!

[Kim Hughes]

now that I have picked my jaw up off the floor. Your post warms my heart with your true talent. You did amazzzzing things with my stamps and Lisa's yummy backgrounders Ellen! I love each and every one. And those animals created by your daughter are so adorable. :)